How did the Catholic Church heal this divide?
What brought a loving Protestant couple's marriage to ruins and how did the Catholic Church heal this divide? Join Dan Burke and Melissa Elson in part one of their interview with Dr. David Anders about his book, The Catholic Church Saved My Marriage.
Topics/Questions Covered in the Show:
What converted David from a staunch Protestant background to find the beauty and truth of the... Read More

Learning to Float in the Ocean of Mercy
[…Some time ago, a] young woman was eagerly learning the art of surrender to the Divine Instructor. Jesus revealed to St. Maria Faustina, an obscure Religious Sister in Poland, His deep love and mercy for all humanity and appointed her as His ‘Messenger of Mercy’. His message involved a request for our childlike confidence in His love and a renewed call for mercy toward our neighbor.... Read More

Divine and Human Mercy
From a Sermon by Saint Caesarius of Arles, bishop
(Sermo 25m I: CCL 103, 111-112)
Sobering words for our celebration of Divine Mercy Sunday today!
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
(Matthew 5:7)
My brothers and sisters, sweet is the thought of mercy, but even more so is mercy itself. It is what all men hope for, but unfortunately, not what all men deserve. For while all men wish... Read More

Contemplating the Triumph of Mercy
The Resurrection is a mystery of the triumph of divine mercy over human misery. When the Father raised Christ Jesus from the dead, humble humanity was not overcome, surmounted or diminished. Instead, all that is good, holy and true about this life was rescued from futility and death. Christian contemplation beholds this victory and by faith allows the splendor of Easter morning to baptize... Read More

Aggressive Tenderness:
Mercy on the Move!
Jubilee Year of Mercy
For several weeks, I have been pondering an unusual little phrase that I came across in Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation ‘The Joy of the Gospel’ [Evangelii Gaudium]. The words just jumped off the page. He writes,
“Christian triumph is always a cross, yet a cross which is at the same time a victorious banner borne with an aggressive tenderness... Read More

THE DAWN OF MERCY: AN EASTER RETREAT GUIDE ON DIVINE MERCY
The newest Retreat Guide from RC Spirituality, The Dawn of Mercy, is now available at www.RCSpirituality.org.
Violence, hatred, injustice—it takes heroic fortitude just to turn on the daily news. And this evil isn’t abstract. It has a name. Events in society mirror a reality we all face every day. It’s called sin; it’s ugly; and it’s horrifically destructive.
Have... Read More

What is a dynamic Catholic? To me, these are folks who give all they have to God and neighbor in a way that is energetic, creative, and that yields an impact wherever they go. Peter Howard, the author of what follows, is a dynamic Catholic. As such, we have been blessed to have him teaching at the Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation and now he is working to expand his public speaking. When I heard of his plans, I offered to... Read More

Divine Mercy Sunday
DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY
This video comes from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy at Eden Hill, in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. Construction of the Shrine of the Divine Mercy was begun in 1950 and dedicated in 1960. In 1996, it was honored to be given the title of the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy. In the year 2000, Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska was canonized on Divine Mercy Sunday and the Feast of the... Read More

ABUSE OF DIVINE MERCY
“Knowest thou not that the benignity of God leadeth thee to penance?”
Romans 2:4
We read in the parable of the cockle [the weeds among the wheat], that the servants of the good man of the house, seeing that it had grown up in the field along with the wheat, wished to pluck it up. “Wilt thou,” said they, “that we go and gather it up?” (cf Matthew 13:28). No, replied the master;... Read More

ON THE MERCY OF GOD
“Mercy exalteth itself above judgment.”
James 2:13
Good is naturally diffusive; that is, inclined to communicate its goods even to others. But God, who is by nature infinite goodness (“Deus cujus natura bonitas” St. Leo), has an infinite desire to impart his own felicity to us; and therefore his inclination is, not to chastise, but to show mercy to all. To punish is, according to Isaiah,... Read More

Join Dan and Stephanie Burke as they answer your questions about the spiritual life. Topics/Questions Covered in the Show: Is God there when we are frustrated with life? How do I find the best resources? Is it bad to feel nothing when I meditate? How did the saints pray against the enemy? Saints suffering scrupulosity? Resources: […]

Join Dan and Stephanie Burke as they answer your questions about spiritual desolation, suffering, the prayer of quiet, consistency in prayer, Lectio Divina and more. Topics/Questions Covered in the Show: How can we avoid getting discouraged during a period of desolation? How does one suffer well? How can we offer up our suffering? When exactly […]